AN 



ADDRESS 



DELIVERED BEFORE THE 



COLUMBIAN" HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



AT THE 



FIRST ANNUAL EXHIBITION. 



JUNB 6th, 1884. 



BY GEORGE*WATTERSTON; 



WASHINGTON: 

PRINTED BY WM. DAVIS JR. 

1884. 



|P 



ERRATA. 

Line \ page 6, for beaties read beauties* 

Same line and page, for calous read callous. 

Page 26, for Pictoriae read pictorial, 

" " 34, for influence read influenced. 

Page 45, from H. Camp, to O. M. Linthicum, and from J. Peirce ; 

1o A. Suter, omit inverted, commas under County. 

Same page, for committee read committees. 

Page 46, for R. S. Coke, read R. S Coxe. 

Page 48, for Wm. K. Cowney, read Wra K. Clozzney. 

Names of members omitted, 
J. S. GUN NELL, 
A. LINDSAY, 

F. LOWNDES, 
P. THOMPSON, 

G. WASHINGTON YOUNG. 



( 



AN 



ADDRESS 



DELIVERED BEFORE THE 



COLUMBIAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



AT THE 



FIRST ANNUAL EXHIBITION, 



JUNE 6th, 1834. 



\% 



BY GEORGE WATTERSTON 



d> 



3- 

■" U. S. A. 

\ a, 



WASHINGTON: 

PRINTED BY WM. DAVIS JR. 
1834. 



c& 



■6$ 



H-ASKJST6T0ST, JtrSE 14, 18*24'. 
DEAR SIR : 

It affords us much pleasure, as a Committee appointed for the purpose, 
to communicate to you the unanimous vote of thanks of the Columbian 
Horticultural Society for the able and eloquent address delivered by you 
at their first annual exhibition on the 6th instant, and to request that you 
will favor the Society with a copy of that address for publication. When 
we consider the well known zeal yon have manifested and the great interest 
you have taken in whatever concerns the prosperity of our infant society 
we are led to the sanguine hope that you will, in this respect, acceed to 

its wishes. 

Your friends and fellow members 

W. HICKET. 



Geo- Wattfkston, Esa. 
Corresponding Secretary of the 

Columbian Horticultural Society- 

Washington City. 



JAMES KEARNEY. 
J NO. A. SMITH. 



jxiltt 1st, 1834. 
ge?;tlemejj: 

I feel grateful to the society for the expression of their favorable opinion 
©f the humble production to which you refer, and cheerfully comply with 
your request in furnishing; a copy for publication. In doing this, I must re- 
mark that, when called upon to prepare an addiess, I felt some hesitation 
and diffidence in undertaking to speak upon a subject with which I had so 
limited an acquaintance, though it had occasionally formed a part of my 
general studies and was at all times, one in which I took great pleasure. I 
therefore, depended more upon the indulgence of the society, and the facts 
I might acquire than upon my humble powers, or any knowledge I possess- 
ed. That it has met with the approbation of those to whom it was addressed, 
is, I need scarcely say, a source of sincere gratification; and that gratification 
will be augmented should it be so fortunate as to excite a more genera! at- 
tention to the art which it recommends or produce an increased fondness for 

its salutary and innocent pursuits. 

Very resp'y 

Your obedient servant, 

GEO. WATTKRSTON. 
To Messrs. W. Htckkt, 

Jas. Kkirney, 
J. A. Smith. 



ADDKESS. 



Mr. President, 

And Gentlemen of the 

Colombian Horticitltural Society.- 

Sensible of my incompetency to discharge, in 
a suitable manner, the duty your partiality has as- 
signed me, I feel great diffidence, in undertaking a 
task so little in accordance with my usual habits, 
and must, therefore, throw myself upon your gen- 
erous indulgence, in the few rapid and desultory 
remarks, it has been made my duty, on this occa- 
sion, to address to you. 

The productions of nature have always been to 

me a source of high gratification. From my earliest 
boyhood I have been accustomed to gaze upon 
whatever, in the vegetable kingdom, was beautiful 
or magnificent, with a feeling of rapt and enthusi- 
astic delight it would be difficult to describe. But 
this love of nature — of the fair and exquisite pro- 
ductions of her hand — of the objects she has deckt 
with her rich and living pencil, is common to us all- 



The poet and the painter may, indeed, feel a high- 
er ai»d holier extacy in the contemplation of her 
beaties; but no mind, however torpid or calous, 
can turn away from the splendid spectacle she ex- 
hibits when dt corated in the varied mantle of 
Spring, the glowing tints of Summer, or the gor- 
geous drapery ©f Autumn, with indifference or 
apathy. 

In the Horticulturist the pleasure arising from 
the mere contemplation of natural beauty, is in- 
creased by the consciousness of the ut'lily of the 
objects of his culture and care. Hume has said 
that utility was beauty, and this is felt in all its force 
by him who devotes his labor and attention to the 
culture of those vegetable productions which na- 
ture has provided, Avith so liberal a hand, for the 
wants of man, 

" Hence the poor are cloth'd, the hungry fed, 
Health to himself and to his children bread." 

The first occupation of man w r as that of tilling 
the earth, and his first dwelling place, a garden. 
Eden was formed, and planted and ornamented by 
the Divine hand of the Creator, who placed it in 
the keeping of our original progenitor, and road** 
it a region of blissfulness and beauty, where 

"Flow'rs, worthy of Paradise which not nice art 
In beds and curious knots, but nature boon 
Pour'd forth profus-e on hill, and dale, and plain. 
Both where the morning sun first warmly smote 
The open field, and where the unpierc'd shade 
Imbrown'd the noon tide bow'rs." 

A fondness tor this healthful occupation is felt 
by most men in all ranks of society. It is early de- 
veloped and clings to us to the last period of life. 



In childhood who has not experienced the pleasure 
of cultivating a spot in his fathers garden, and 
giving to it the form and image of that in which he 
loves to sport? It is an occupation which assimi- 
lates to the innocence of our infant years, and 
what is innocent is always pleasing. In manhood, 
this fondness is increased by the agreeable relaxa- 
tion it affords — the beauty it unfolds and the bene- 
fit it confers ; and in old age, when almost every 
other pleasure has faded away but that which 
springs from the consciousness of a well spent and 
virtuous life, it ceases not to diffuse its charm and 
to retain its attraction. Who of us, in the * 4 sear 
and yellow leaf" does not delight to retire from 
the toils and agitations of the living world to 
the flower bordered walks, and vine covered 
bowers of a garden? Wearied and exhausted by 
the cares and business of life, it is refreshing to in- 
dulge in the pleasing reminiscences and delicious 
associations, which the sight of the flower we loved 
— the plant we cultivated — the shrub we cherish- 
ed in our innocent childhood is calcuated to call 
up. It is the love of nature which still clings to the 
heart, and which the wild conflicts of passion — the 
unbridled fury of political strife — the turmoils and 
cares and agonies of a heartless world, may deaden 
for a time, but cannot destroy. To the philosopher, 
the statesman, the hero and the poet, in all ages of 
the world, the cultivation of the soil — of the fruits 
and flowers of the earth, has been a source of ra- 
tional enjoyment. And to all men, the pursuits of hor- 
ticulture are peaceful and salutary, affording in* 



structive amusement, and giving vigor to the body 
and a healthy action to the mind. " In my opinion" 
says Cicero, " no kind of occupation is more preg- 
nant with happiness, not only as it is of singular 
utility to mankind in general, but as being attended 
with peculiar and very considerable pleasures."* 

To none, however, is the garden a source of 
higher and purer enjoyment than to the female sex. 
Their sensibilities being more accute, they relish, 
with greater intensity the beauty which surrounds 
them, and which they cannot fail to behold in every 
border, and flower-woven arbour — in every plant 
and shrub, and tree over which the eye glances as 
it roams amidst the varied beauties of a well culti- 
vated garden. To them the floral department is 
an o: ject of especial attraction. The exquisite 
coloring, and the delicate and graceful forms of 
the productions of Flora are nicely adapted to 
the fine perception of beauty which exists in the 
female mind.— In what region of the world, in 
what condition of life, does no tho love of flowers, 
prevail among females ? In the lowly cottage, as 
well as the magnificent palace, it displays itself in 
the floral wreath, and the woodbine, and jessa- 
mine, and rose that diffuse their fragrance, and de- 
corate the laticed window of the humble dwell- 
ing of innocence and poverty. In the populous 
city where the want of ground prevents the indul- 
gence of their favorite propensity in its lull extents 

* Cicero On old age. 






9 

the windows and parlours of their habitations are 
often found ornamented with the rose, the mignio- 
nette and the geranium. "But who, says Boursault, 
does not love flowers ? They embellish our gar- 
dens ; they give a more brilliant lustre to our festi- 
vals; they are the interpreters of our affections: 
they are the testimonials of our gratitude. We pre- 
sent them to those to whom we are under obliga- 
tions ; they are often necessary to the pomp of our 
religious ceremonies, and they seem to associate 
and mingle their perfumes with the purity of our 
prayers, and the homage which we address to the 
Almighty. Happy are those who love and culti- 
vate them." There is,moreover, in the well cultiva- 
ted garden, a placid beauty and a stillness and re- 
pose suited to the tranquillity of domestic life, and 
which, in the bustle and excitements of the world 
make us hope, like the poet Cowley, that we may- 
be able "one day to retire to a small house and a 
large garden." There is much truth in the obser- 
vation of Mrs. Hoffland, " our first most endearing 
and sacred associations are connected with gardens; 
our most simple and most refined perceptions of 
beauty are combined with them, and the very con- 
dition of our being, compels us to the cares, and re- 
wards us with the pleasures attached to them " 
The Greeks appropriated their celestial gardens to 
the Gods ; and the Mahometans, says Phillips, re- 
serve their flowery lawns and umbrageous bowers 
for scenes of future bliss. To the fair sex may 
be attributed many of the improvements and beau- 
ties which arc now so conspiciaoas in the ornament 



10 

al or landscape garden — The wonderful hanging 
gardens of Babylon are said to owe their origin to 
the Queen of Nebuckadnezzer who to pacify her 
regrets at leaving the country in which she was 
born, and which appeared so beautiful by contrast? 
erected the famous terraces, covered with trees, 
and supporting rural seats, fountains, and banquet- 
ting halls which formed one of the wonders of the 
world. But, whatever, may have been the influ- 
ence exercised by woman in the formation and im- 
provement of the gardens of antiquity, it is certain 
that there is no department of nature so appropri- 
ate to the female hand as the cultivation of flowers- 
" Flowers seem intended for the embellishment of 
the fair and for the ornament of the spot where they 
tread. Their sweet perfumes have such influence 
over all our sensations that in the midst of flower- 
ing shrubs the most acute grief generally gives 
way to the sweetest melancholly. When our home 
or domestic companions are encompassed by the 
shrubbery our situation then approaches nearest 
to a terrestrial paradise."* There is perhaps, no 
object in nature more pleasing than a young and 
beautiful woman, blooming in innocence and loveli- 
ness seen amidst a parterre of flowers, herself the 
fairest, sustaining the drooping lily, or administer, 
ing to the nourishment of the expanding beauties 
of the rose. 

" Much I love 
To see the fair one bind the straggling pink, 
Cheer the sweet rose, the lupin, and the stock. 

* Phillips' Silra, 



li 

And lend a staff to the still gadding pea, 

Ye fair it well becomes you. Better thus 

Cheat time away than at the crowded rout, 

Rustling in silk, in a small room close pent, 

And heated e'en to fusion ; made to breathe 

A rank, contageous air, and fret at whist 

Or sit aside to sneer and whisper scandal." crabbe. 

Horticulture is one of the first indications oi' 
civilization. In the origin of society mankind ex- 
ist on the products of the chace, and their first em- 
ployment is that of the hunter. The pastoral life 
next succeeds ; the cultivation of the soil is then 
resorted to, and the earth pours into the lap of in- 
dustry all that the wants and necessities of man 
require. Civilization, and its concomitants, luxury & 
refinement, are introduced, and gardening then ri- 
ses to the dignity of a fine art. Horticulture in its 
restricted sense, was among the earliest occupa- 
tions of man, and is almost co-eval with the world. 
It was not till society had reached a high degree of 
polish and refinement that the beautiful art of land- 
scape gardening became an object of attention and 
study. Lord Bacon has correctly remarked that 
"when ages grow to civility and elegancy men 
come to build stately, sooner than to garden finely; 
as if gardening were the greater perfection." Land- 
scape gardening, is not so much an imitative art, as 
"nature itself ornamented." It has of late been 
brought to a high degree of perfection in England, 
where it continues to be patronised and promoted 
by the wealth and taste of the nation. It lias been 
gradually advancing from its first rude beginnings 
to the high excellence to which it has now attained : 



12 

from the first attempt to ornament nature in the 
gardens of Alcinous as described by Homer, to the 
splendid condition of the art now existing in Eu- 
rope. In the age of Homer, even the conception 
of an ornamental garden must have been hum- 
ble and limited, when the rich imagination of the 
Father of Epic poetry, could not body forth a more 
perfect specimen of the art than the one he has 
left us. The garden of Alcinous was but an or- 
chard and kitchen garden, which is thus descri- 
bed. 

Four acres was the allotted space of ground 
Fenc'd with a green enclosure all around 
Tall thriving trees confessed the fruitful mould 
The reddenning apple ripens into gold. 
Here the blue fig with luscious juce o'er flows ; 
With deeper red the full pomegranate glows; 
The branch here bends beneath the weighty pear, 
The verdant olives flourish round the year, 
Beds of all various kinds, forever green, 
In beauteous order terminate the scene, 

As society advanced in refinement and luxury, a 
taste for ornamental gardening was gradually de- 
veloped, cultivated and displayed, among the 
Greeks, the Romans, the Persians, and the Chi- 
nese. But it was not till the commencement of 
the 18th century, that this art began to claim the 
attention of men of taste and wealth in Europe 
The improvements which have been made in it, 
have been properly attributed to the natural pro- 
gress of art and refinement, aided by descriptions 
of Chinese gardens and the rich and vivid delinia- 
tions of natural scenery • abounding in the ancient 
and modern poets. The paradise of Milton, the 



13 

reasons of Thompson, Tasso's garden of Armida, 
the Vale of Tempe, and the Vaucluse of Petr- 
arch, have all been said to furnish hints and sug- 
gest improvements in what Walpole terms the art 
of " creating Landscape." The Italian style of 
gardening prevailed for many years in Europe. It 
consisted of terraces of masonry, flights of steps, 
arcades, grottos, clipp'd hedges, niches, and recess- 
es for statues. To this succeeded the Dutch style 
which consisted of sloped grass terraces, land and 
water thrown into various forms, adorned with 
trees in pots or planted alternately, and regularly 
clipped. Le Notre, finally arose who planned and 
executed the famous gardens of Versailles. El is 
designs are charged with having been too puerile 
and artificial to please the refined taste of the cfc- 
ganlicc Jormarum spectator. Dufresnoy followed Le 
Notre, and possessing a better taste, endeavoured 
to introduce a more picturesque and natural style 
into ornamental gardening. This was improved 
by Kent who first introduced the modern style into 
England; and Kent was, succeeded in this beautiful 
art, by Wright, Brown, and Repton as professors; 
and by Southcoat, Hamilton, Shenstone, Littleton 
and Pitt, as proprietors and amateurs. 

But Horticulture as a useful art comes more pe- 
culiarly within the province of this society 

To this branch belongs the cultivation of fruits ; 
flowers and esculent vegetables,and it embraces the 
kitchen garden, orchard, nursery, rosery, green- 
house, and botanical and medical garden. Long 
experience and the progress of science have ren- 



11 

dered these different departments productive of 
great advantage to mankind. For many ages men 
cultivated the soil without the light of science, and 
pursued the mode adopted by those who preceded 
them without inquiring into the principles upon 
which their practical operations were founded. 
Natural History, Botany, and Chemistry were but 
little studied in reference to horticulture, and but 
seldom resorted to for the purpose of extending the 
benefits and multiplying the beauties of the gar- 
den, or developing the principles of vegetable life. 
The rapid improvements made in botany, vegetable 
physiology and chemistry, within a few centuries, 
have been such as greatly to extend the sphere of 
Horticultural science, by rendering the theory 
more intelligible, and its practice more certain and 
delightful. The ancients have left but little behind 
them, in the beautiful science of botany, that is 
worthy of preservation. They had no system, and 
their descriptions of plants are vague and unsatis- 
factory. The labors of Theophrastus, Diascorides 
and Pliny, are entirely useless at the present day ; 
and it was not till the appearance of that extraordi- 
nary man, Linnaeus, that botany could be properly 
ranked among the sciences. The vast accession of 
knowledge in the vegetable kingdom which has 
been the consequence of his labors and devotion 
to science, may be estimated from the following- 
brief statement of the additions which have been 
made, at different periods of the world, to the ca- 
talogue of plants. Homer mentions but 30, the 
Bible 71 , Hippocrates 274, Theophrastus £>00, Dias- 



corides 700, and Pliny 1000 plants. About seventeen 
centuries after the age of the latter, Linnaeus ap- 
peared and enlarged this meagre catalogue to be- 
tween 11 and 12,000. Since his time the nomencla- 
ture has been swelled to the almost incredible magni- 
tude of 150,000 plants. What an immense addition to 
the comfort, gratification and health of mankind I 
What light and usefulness has not the science of 
Botany blended with the labors of the Horticultu- 
rist ! But it is a science, which, distinct from the deep 
and rational gratification it affords, is almost indis- 
pensible to the gardener, especially that branch of 
it which imparts a knowledge of the physiology, 
the structure and functions of plants. As a source 
of enjoyment to the cultivated mind, independently 
of its great usefulness, I give the testimony of one 
of the most distinguished Botanists of this country. 
" It has been for many years," says Dr. Elliott, of 
South Carolina, the occupation of my leisure mo- 
ments, and it is a merited tribute to saj that it has 
lightened for me many a heavy and smoothed ma- 
ny a rugged hour ; that beguiled by its charms, I 
have found no road rough or difficult, no journey 
tedious, no country desolate or barren. In solitude 
never solitary, in a desert never without employ- 
ment, I have found it a relief from the languor of 
idleness, the pressure of business and the unavoid- 
able calamities of life." The experience of every 
Botanist will confirm the truth of this eloquent 
description. — To him indeed 

"The meanest flower that blows can give. 
Thoughts that «ft lie too deep for tears." 
It has been justly remarked that a knowledge of 
botany "gives as it were an additional eye to those 



Hi 

who walk either amongst the native beauties of 
the field or the exotic charms of the shrubbery; for 
however elegant, however admirable, however di- 
versified the structure of vegetables may be, it 
does not strike the eye of those who are ignorant 
of their parts enough to interest them; because they 
do not even know where to look, or the use of what 
they look at. They have no conception of that 
assemblage and chain of relations and combinations 
which overwhelm with their wonders the mind of 
the observer who has studied this part of the crea- 
tion and who would find more beauties in the little 
inflated flower of the Arbutus than the indolent 
observer can perceive in the gay amaryllis of Bue- 
nos Ayres, or than the indifferent spectator will see 
in the matchless elegence of the passiflora whose 
stars so splendidly illuminate the Brazilian for- 
ests."* In the cultivated garden, as well as in the 
trackless wilds of nature, there is not 

"A tree 
A plant, a leaf, a blossom but contains 
A folio volume. We may read and read, 
And read again, and still find something new 
Something to please, and something to instruct." 

In no department of nature have the imagination 
and taste of that Matchless Being who created the 
Universe, been so signally displayed as in the ve- 
getable kingdom. Each plant and flower has been 
designed, and formed and colored with the most 
exquisite and beautiful fancy, and with a view to 
the gratification and benefit of the animal creation. 
Their multiplicity and endless variety, their singu- 

"* Phillips' Silva Florifera, 



17 

lar strncture, and admirable adaptation to the 
wants of organic beings, display the wisdom, bene- 
ficence and elegance of the Divine Mind. 

" Whose breath perfumes them and whose pencil paints." 
I shall not, on this occasion, enter into the 
philosophy of vegetation. Its wonders I leave to 
a more skilful hand, to whom we have delegated 
this pleasing task;t but I must be permitted to men- 
tion a few facts illustrative of the operations of ve- 
getable nature in the production of liquids and 
substances similar to those of the Bee, the Cow the 
Sheep &c. TheMyrica Fennsylvanica is said to yield 
an annual supply of vegetable wax — the Palo de 
Vaca of South America furnishes an abundance of 
real milk — a tree in Guayaquil produces a fine wool 
— one in China secretes a tallow like fat — one in 
the West Indies an exquisite marrow, and another 
in Buenos Ayres becomes a vegetable fountain, and 
yields a copious effusion of pure water. Vegetables 
have also a strong affinity to the mineral kingdom; for 
they form carbon, and some contain copper, sulphur* 
iron and gold. In regions where the rays of the sun 
cannot penetrate, the wise providence of God has 
produced the Fungus Rhizomorpha " which vege- 
tates in dark mines far from the light of day. In 
the coal mines near Dresden it gives those places 
the air of an enchanted castle. The roofs, walls 
and pillars are entirely covered with them ; their 
beautiful light almost dazzling the eye"* Others again 
live on air alone, as the Epidendron, flos arts; famous 

Ed. Phil. Journal, 14th vol. 
+ W, Rich, Lecturer on Botany and vegetable Physiology. 
3 



for the beamy of its flowers and the sweetness of 
its perfume. The Chinese suspend it round the 
ceiling of their rooms"* where it forms a living fes- 
toon, breathing fragrance and charming the eye by 
the splendor of its beauty. 

In the wonderful productiveness of vegetable 
nature, the goodness and wisdom of the Benevolent 
Creator are not less displayed than in its surprising 
organization and beauty. No conceivable increase 
of the human species or of animal life can ever sur- 
pass the continued supply of vegetable food which 
the Benencient Hand of God has spread exuber- 
antly over the earth for the sustenance and com- 
fort of his creatures. Its whole bosom teems with 
the productive principle of vegitation. A single 
tree will produce a large forest, and seeds blown 
by the winds and carried by the birds of the air to 
regions where they had never before vegetated, 
soon flourish, become attached to the soil and pro- 
duce and re-produce to infinity. Seeds will lie 
inert for centuries, and when buried in the ground 
too deep for vegetation will remain untouched by 
decay, till brought nearer the surface. A bulbous 
root was found a few years ago, in the hand of an 
Egyptian mummy, and after the lapse of twenty 
centuries, was again restored to its parent earth, 
where it once more vegetated and became a beauti- 
ful plant. 

But it is with the unprovability of vegetable na- 
ture that this society has the most immediate con- 

Bull. Univ. 1829. 



cern. In this principle it greatly transcends all or. 
game and inorganic matter. By culture this faculty 
is developed and enlarged to an almost infinite 
extent. Many of the productions of the vegetable 
kingdom have been rendered b} culture not only 
very abundant and beautiful, but even their charac- 
ter has been changed. To the sloe we are indebted 
for tho fine plain; the common crab is the stock 
from which has sprung the various species of the 
delicious apple, and the sweet brier is said to be the 
parent of all the beautiful and almost endlrsss va- 
rieties of the rose. In an uncultivated state many 
of the nutricious esculent vegetables which consti- 
tute a portion of the regular food of civilized man, 
such as the carrot, parsnip, frc. are poisonous; Cul- 
ture has given them new properties, and a wonder- 
ful enlargement. "Man, says Loudon, improving on 
nature produces cabbages and turnips of half a 
hundred weight, and apples of one pound and a 
half," Strawberries have been produced seven in. 
ches in circumference, an apple that has measured 
fifteen inches round — a bunch of grapes that has 
weighed fifteen pounds, and a mushroom upwards 
of a foot in diameter. 

Such is the improvability of vegetable nature 
which points out to man the necessity of labor and 
the advantage of cultivation. But to render culti- 
vation effectual, Horticulture as a science requires, 
in addition to Botany, the aid and co-operation of 
other branches, of knowledge among which the 
most important are Chemistry, Mineralogy, Rural 
Architecture, and Entomology. The scientific gar- 



20 

denei' should be acquainted with the various ma- 
terials, or substances of which the earth that he 
tills is composed, that he may, with greater cer- 
tainty and benefit know how to adapt the plant to 
its most congenial soil, and the soil to the plant. 
A knowledge of the properties of compost, the 
manner in which lands are enriched, the causes of 
their fertility, the peculiar character of each soil, 
the effect and operation of different manures on 
vegetation &c, are imdispensible to the skilful hor- 
ticulturist. Rural architecture, hydraulics, and 
mechanics form no inconsiderable portion of the 
necessary information of the landscape gardener. 
Indeed 

" Ce noble emploi demande un artiste qui pense 

Prodigue de genie, mais non pas de depense." Delille- 

But to the practical horticulturist no branch 
of physical science is more useful and important 
than Entomology. Small as the objects may be of 
which it treats and insignificant as it may seem to 
the generality of mankind, it, is, nevertheless, 
highly interesting in itself, and of great and ob- 
vious utility to the gardener. The matchless wis- 
dom and perfection of God are not less strikingly 
manifested in the formation of this class of ani- 
mated beings than in the other portions of his 
animal kingdom. The fairy and gorgeous but- 
terfly, and the brilliant beetle are as exquisitely 
imagined and as elaborately executed as the most 
splendid floral production of his hand, To these 
''valued minatures, nature has given the most de- 
licate touch and highest finish of her pencil. 



21 

Numbers arc armed with a glittering mail like 
burnished gold, in others is the dazzling radiance 
of polished gems, some are decked with what 
looks like liquid drops, or plates of gold and 
silver, some vie with flowers in the delicacy and 
variety of their colors, others in the texture of 
their wings, and others in the rich cottony down 
that clothes them."* Their instinct and magi- 
cal transformations excite our admiration and as- 
tonishment. In the wonderful metamorphosis of 
the insect tribe, passing from the inert mass, the 
egg, to the perfect animal, throngh all their dif- 
ferent stages of existence, we cannot fail to re- 
cognize an anology between these physical changes 
and that which our immortal spirits are destined to 
undergo; and I cordially concur, with an able wri- 
ter on this subject,t in the belief "that one of 
the great purposes of the Deity in creating his 
insect kingdom was to excite this sentiment, (a 
belief in the resurrection) in the human heart? 
and to raise by it the contemplative mind to look 
forward to a possible revival from the tomb, as the 
butterfly from its sepulchral chrysalis." 

The poetical imagination and exquisite taste of 
the ancient Greeks led them, without any know- 
ledge of christain revelation, to embody the human 
soul under the form of a butterfly, and a represen- 
tation of this insect was engraved on their head 
stones and tombs to denote that the spirit or soul. 



* Kirby and Spcnce, Entom. vol 1 , 

1 S. Turner'? S.tcred History, 



Psyche, would reappear in a new form and state of 
being. 

"Noi siam vermi 
Nail a formar I 'angelica forfalla." 

But however admirable and beautiful the in- 
sect tribe may be, their habits and history must 
be studied by the gardener mainly for the pur- 
pose of acquiring that knowledge which will en- 
able him to render them less noxious ;*nd des- 
tructive to the objects of his care, attention and 
labor. Insects exist almost exclusively on the 
productions of the vegetable kingdom ; every leaf, 
blossom, fruit and plant is their food — neither 
root trunk nor branch is exempt from their inroads ; 
they spread from pole to pole, and are found 
wherever a vegetable exists to afford them nour- 
ishment, and enable them to propagate their spe- 
cies. Their ravages are sometimes extensive and 
desolating, and their most ordinary, though ne- 
cessary operations, injurious to vegetable life. It 
is important therefore, to study their economy, 
to be the better able to devise remedies for the 
injuries they commit. Entomology has already 
been of considerable advantage, in this particu- 
lar, both to agriculture and gardening, and if 
this branch of natural history be pursued, with 
this view, there is every reason to expect that 
much additional benefit will be the result. He 
who shall discover from a knowledge of their ha- 
bits and economy, the best mode of extermina- 
ting those noxious insects, or of preventing their 
destructive ravages, will render an inestimable 



23. 

service to horticulture, and deserve the lasting 
gratitude of his country, 

Such are the diversified intellectual acquire- 
ments, and the various branches of knowledge 
which the science of horticulture requires. The 
establishment ot this and other kindred societies 
will, I think, be the means of encouraging the 
prosecution of these auxilliary studies, and of great" 
ly promoting the useful objects of horticulture* 
" More real useful improvements it is said, " have 
been made in gardening since the formation of the 
London Horticultural Society than have been made 
in China within the last thousand years." The be- 
neficial effects of these institutions have been felt 
wherever they have been formed. They encour- 
age industry, create a new spirit of horticultural 
enterprize, lead to new inquiries, to diversified 
and often useful experiments, to more skilful modes 
of cultivation, and are liberal and social in their 
tendencies. Among the earliest institutions of this 
sort was the Florists Society in Edinburg formed 
in 1803, which afterwards took and now retains 
the title of the Caladonian Horticultural Society. 
This was followed by the London Horticultural 
Society established in 1805, and in 1 826 a similar 
institution was formed in Paris. The example of 
these countries has been imitated in the United 
States, and Horticultural societies now exist in 
Boston, New York, Albany, Geneva, Philadel- 
phia, Maryland and South Carolina. 

Their productive effects may be partially esti- 
mated from the fact I hat a few years ago in the 



•24 

vicinity of London, 14,000 acres of land were oc- 
cupied as fruit and kitchen gardens, the annual pro- 
duce of which sold for four millions of dollars. 
Near Edinburg five hundred acres are thus ap- 
propriated, the products of which yield annually 
$100,000. The consequence of the establishment 
of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, it is 
paid, in an eloquent and sensible address of one o^ 
its members, has been to produce a "decided im- 
provement in the grounds of men of wealth and 
leisure, and in the gardens and court-yards of the 
middling class of citizens; and even the home of the 
laboring poor has, in not a few instances, acquired 
an additional point of interest to attract him from 
the haunts of dissipation; hia leisure hours are pleas- 
antly occupied; his mind expanded, and his heart 
warmed and softened."* 

Our Institution is of recent origin; but from its 
peculiar location, we have every reason to indulge 
the hope that it will not fall behind its fellow la- 
borers in usefulness, and that its more immediate 
effect will be a sensible improvement in the fruits 
and esculent vegetables of our climate. In the 
centre of our vast republic, at the seat of the Fe- 
deral Government, communicating through its 
public agents, with all parts of the globe, the loca- 
tion of this society is certainly unequaled in this 
country. For the exercise of the ornamental branch 
of the art which this institution proposes to en- 
courage, our position also possesses great capabil- 

*Dr. Wards Address. 



25 

ities. Nature has done much, in the beautiful out- 
line and splendid landscape scenery, she has form- 
ed within the limits of our District. It require: 
but the addition of art, backed by wealth, to 
render our territory, so far as it concerns mere phys- 
ical beauty, the Paradise of America; and this, I 
expect soon to see both publicly and privately em- 
ployed to give embellishment, variety and splendor 
to the striking natural beauties by which we are sur- 
rounded. The effect of horticultural taste and en- 
terprise is perhaps no where more happily illustra- 
ted than in the minature garden of our President- 
It exhibits all the variety, and skilful arrangement 
that good taste could bestow, and it is to be regret- 
ted that he had not had a wider field, and better 
opportunities for its display. His laudible exam- 
ple will, I hope, be imitated by others till a taste fof 
horticulture shall be diffused among all classes oi 
the community whose circumstances will enable 
them to appropriate a portion of their time, labor, 
and means to the improvement and embellishment 
of their grounds, however small. 

In England this taste is so widely extended and 
so fondly cherished, that scarsely an humble cottage 
is seen without its little garden spot, and its while 
washed walls, decorated with the honey suckle, 
woodbine and other floral ornaments. And 

"Where around (he Cots romantic glade are seen, 
The blossom'd beanfield and the sloping green." 
Should this society succeed in infusing a taste 
for horticulture as an elegant art, it does not require 
great exercise of imagination to conceive the spleiid - 



26 

id pictoriae scene that this District would present 
in the course of half a century. The beautiful 
heights that surround our city— their verdant and 
sunny slopes — the majestic river, rolling at their 
base — the undulating outline — the gorgeous autum- 
nal foliage of its woods, and the other capabilities 
it possesses, may be converted, by the hand of 
taste, into a scene on which the eye will delight to 
gaze, as on one created by the power of enchant- 
ment. But for myself, I know no application of 
this branch of the art, more delightful than to the 
decoration of the last resting places of the dead. 
The romantic garden of graves of Pere la Chaise 
has become an object of beauty, as well as of deep 
interest, to all who visit the Capital of France, from 
the embellishments it has received from horticultu- 
ral taste. May we not flatter ourselves that some- 
thing like this will yet be done in the Burial ground 
of our city, and that aided by Congress, and en- 
larged, arranged and ornamented under the direc- 
tion of this society, it will present a spectacle of 
picturesque and living beauty, amid the melancholy 
mementos of the mouldering dead, that no one can 
contemplate without the deepest interest and ad- 
miration. It has been beautifully said by the Vice 
President of the Massachusetts Horticultural So- 
ciety, in speaking of the mount Auburn cemetery.* 
" The weeping Willow, waving its graceful drapery 
over the monumental marble and the sombre foliage 
of the Cypress should shade it, the undying daisy 
should mingle its bright and glowing tints with the 
native laurels of our forests. It is there I would de~ 
*Z. Cook. Jr. 



27 

sire to see the taste of the florist manifested in the 
collection and arrangement of beautiful and frag- 
rant flowers that in their budding and bloom and 
decay they should be the silent and expressive 
teachers of morality, and remind us that, although 
like the flowers of Antumn, the race of man is fading 
from off the earth, yet like them his root will not 
perish in the ground, but will rise again in a renew- 
ed existence, to shed the sweet influence of a use- 
ful life, in gardens of unfading beauty." Yes, cold 
and torpid must be the heart of him who could stroll 
amid such a scene and be insensible to the melan- 
cholly charm which the fragrance he inhales, the 
beauty he beholds, and the thought of those who 
are mouldering into dust at his feet are calculated 
to infuse. Horticulture can spread its beauties 
over the solemn mansions of the dead, as well as 
amid the splendid dwellings of the living — can ad- 
minister to the indulgence of buried affection, as 
well as to the joyous feelings of requited love. But 
we are indebted to horticulture for most the of com- 
forts as well as many of the pleasures of life. We 
owe to this art the culture of the most beautiful or- 
namental trees and shrubs, the choicest variety of 
fruits— the finest kind of flowers, and the most nutri- 
cious and wholesome species of vegetables. Even 
agriculture is indebted to the garden for many of its 
most valuable products. There, says, Poiteau, "like 
the young Hercules, she first tried her powers, and 
prepared, like him to overrun the world which she 
speedily cleared of monsters, and bestowed upon 
man the laws of civilization,'* 



28 

Horticulture administers not only to our wants and 
pleasures, but it also gives a high moral tone to our 
feelings by habituating the mind to the tranquillity 
and contentment of domestic life, and the quiet 
pleasures of rural occupation. We are carried 
from the contemplation ot the exquisite specimen? 
of the taste and wisdom of the Creator which we 
are laboring to rear, to the Creator himself. Our 
admiration becomes more enthusiastic and our devo- 
tion more ardent. "All the beautiful thoughts and 
sentiments," says Sharon Turner "which poetry has 
breathed in every age in praise of verdant or floral 
nature and of rural life, are the expressed homage 
of the heart to the charms and utilities of the vege- 
table creation and are so many undesigned but im- 
plied encomiums on its invisible author for planning 
and ordaining it." 

''Forth in the pleasing Spring 
Thy beauty walks; thy tenderness and love. — 
Wide flush the fields; the softening air is balm 
And every sense and every heart is joy." 
The vegetable kindom is profuse with the man- 
ifestations of the goodness, liberality and kindness of 
the Deity towards man. "It expands, says the elo- 
quent writei, I have just quoted,* 'every where be- 
fore us an immense portraiture of the Divine mind 
in its contriving skill, profuse immagination, con- 
ceiving genius and exquisite tase; as well as its in- 
teresting qualities of the most gracious benignity 
and the most benevolent munificensc. The Various 
flowers we behold awaken these sentiments within 

* Turner's Sacred Hist. 



us, and compel our reason to make these percep- 
tions and this inference. They are the annual 
heralds and ever returning pledges to us of his con- 
tinuing beneficence, of his desire to please and to 
benefit us, and therefore of his parental and intel- 
lectual amiabilities. The thunder — the pestilence 
and the tempest awe and humble us into dismaying 
recollections of his tremendous omnipotence, and 
possible visitations, and of our total inability to re- 
sist or avert them ; but the beauty and benefactions 
of his vegetable creations — the flowers and the 
forests more especially remind and assures us of 
his unforgetting care, of his condescending sympa- 
thy, of his paternal attentions and of the same affec- 
tionate benignity, still actuating his mind which 
must have influenced it to design and execute such 
lovely and benevolent productions that display the 
minutest thought, most elaborate compositions, and 
so much personal kindness." It is in the garden 
that we can see the wisdom and tenderness, and 
beneficence of the Benevolent Creator, and it is 
there that our gratitude and devotion would lead 
ns to exclaim, with the poet of night, 

"O how Omnipotence 

Is lost in love! Thou great Philanthropist, 

Father of angels, but the Friend of Man." 

Look around you and behold the spectacle of 
beauty and usefulness which nature, aided by the 
hand of industry and art, has spread before you. 
This festival of flowers — this banquet of delights 
this "beauty to the eye and pleasure to the sense,'* 
will, I trust, be annually enjoyed by those who pre- 
fer the happiness which springs from the refresh- 



30 

ing and salutary pursuits of Horticulture to the 
feverish and exiting agitations of artificial life. 
We"mvite, then, all both male and female, to unite 
with ns in the pleasing and useful enterprise in 
which we have engaged — to join us in our efforts 
to spread a taste for the beauties of nature, and in- 
fuse a relish for a pursuit which is so replete with 
innocence and happiness — and which so largely 
contributes to the utility, and comfort, and enjoy- 
ment of mankind. 



&XSORXPTIOM 

OF THE FIRST ANNUAL 

EXHIBITION, 



The first annual Exhibition of the Columbian Horticultural 
Society was held in the City Hall, on the 5th and 6th of June. A 
large and splendid collection of green-house plants, and a great var- 
iety of garden flowers, vegetables, and fruits, were brought from 
the different parts of the District to the Hall of exibition. The 
season having been very unfavorable, it was apprehended that the 
exibition would disappoint public expectation; but such were the 
zeal and enthusiasm of the horticulturist, florists, and others of 
the District, that it presented, even on the first day, a spectacle 
of beauty and splendor that surprised all who saw it, and that was 
said to be unsurpassed, in variety and profusion, by any thing of 
the kind ever before seen in this country. The committee, to 
whom its superintendence was assigned, displayed great taste in 
its arrangement by the admirable grouping and disposition of 
the plants, and assisted by several ladies of the City and it vicin- 
ity, who kindly lent their aid on the occasion, succeeded in ren- 
dering it a scene of enchantment, where the eye was feasted with 
beauty, the scent regaled by the delicious fragrance of the richest 
flowers, and the ear charmed by the melody of bird?, placed amid 
the verdant foliage and golden fruit of the orange and citrion trees, 
by the soft and pensive tones of the Eolian Harp, and the fine mu- 
sic of the Marine hand. The green-house plants and the numer- 
ous garden flowers were arranged on pyramids, in different parts 
of the spacious hall and along the walls of the apartment, leaving 
alleys, bordered by the most rare and beautiful productions of 
Flora, through which the visiter passed to gaze on the beauties 
and inhale the fragrance that breathed aronnd him. Everv one 



that entered was struck by the novelty and splendor of tiie fairv 
scene, and crowds rushed to behold it before it should disappear. 
Two small floral pyramids were constructed and arranged in the 
most tasteful manner, by several ladies of the District, consisting 
of at least 400 varieties of the choicest and most beautiful garden 
flowers, chiefly from the parterre of Mrs. Bomford and Mr, J. 
Pierce, and supporting a magnificent silver vase crowned with 
flowers Glass globes, surmounted with bouquets of roses, lilies, 
pinks, etc. and containing gold fish, sporting and glittering in their 
native element, were placed in different parts of the hall, and 
seemed to swim amid a flood of fragrance. At night the spectacle 
was, if possible, still more splendid and enchanting. The lights, 
interspersed among the shrubs, tropical fruit trees, and groups of 
flowers, ga re additional brilliancy and beauty to the almost magi- 
cal scene. During the exibition, on both days, the hall was crow- 
ded by visiters who flocked to witness tbis festival of Flora, and all 
seemed delighted at the first effort of the society, which so far 
surpased their expectations, and gave so fair a promise of future 
exellence and utility. The scene appeared to inspire a feeling 
of harmony and social affection; and every thing calculated to dis- 
turb or agitate was charmed into silence, or banished from the 
mind, by the tranquillizing and splendid spectacle thus exhibited. 
The committee of arrangements are entitled to high praise for 
their assiduity and for the taste and untiring zeal they displayed in 
making the exhibition so attractive and beautiful. The exhibition 
was closed on friday evening, the 6lh, by an Address from George 
Walterston, Esq, Cor. Sec, to whom the task had been assigned 
by the unanimous voice of the society, and who acquitted himself 
in a manner highly satisfactory to his fellow members, and pleasing 
to the numerous and respectable assemblage of persons present 
on the occasion. The orator presented an interesting view of 
the history and science of Horticulture, the salutary and peaceful 
tendencies of its pursuits, and the charms which it receives from 
female industry and taste, fie took a review of the antiquity and 
gradual progress of this interesting science, both in its ornamen- 
tal and useful branches of those parts of knowledge necessary to a 
correct understanding and development of its principles and prac- 
ti'ce, and to the successful prosecution of its labors. He dwelt upon 



33 

uie useful effects of cultivation on vegetable nature; on the rich- 
ness and abundance with which Divine Providence has blessed 
mankind, in bestowing upon him such inexhaustible stores of veg- 
etable wealth. The munificence and wisdom of the Deity in its 
formation, its diversity, it beauty; and preserving and handing, 
down from age to age, its treasures for the use of man. He ex- 
plained the origin, history, and improving nature, of Horticultural 
societies in Europe and America, and the beneficial effects antici- 
pated for the District of Columbia from the establishment of the 
Columbian Horticultural Society, whose exertions where destined 
to improve the moral and religious character of its inhabitants, and 
add to the happiness of the social and domestic circle. It were 
impractible, in a short sketch, to embrace even an outline of the 
address, suffice it to say, that it was heard with deep interest, and 
responded to by universal applause. 

At the hour named for the delivery of the address, 8 o'clock, the 
room, though very spacious, was filled to overflowing, and the or- 
ator had the satisfaction to know that his learned and appropriate 
discourse was listened to by a delighted audience, combining a full 
share of the beauty, fashion, and talent, that usually graces and 
enlightens the capital of the nation when congress is in session. 

It was a matter of regret that the Society could not comply with 
the earnest request of the citizens, by continuing the exhibition 
during the whole of Saturday, The room being required for the 
accommodation of the newly elected City Council on the Monday 
following, it was necessary that the plants should be removed prior 
to that day, and therefore the Society were constrained to close 
the exhibition on Friday, to the regret of many who had not had 
an opportunity of visiting it. 



REPORT of the Committee of the Columbian Horticultu- 
ral Society on the Shrubs, Plants and Flowers, ex- 
hibited by the Society on the 5th and Glh of June, 
1884. 
The earnestness of the Society's desire to manifest the laudable 
interest which it takes in the cultivation of the hardy fruits and 
vegetables of our climate influence it. immediately after the oc- 
curence of the severe and untimely frosts of the past Spring, to 
postpone its first public exhibition to a period more propitious to 
these leading objects of the society's care, and beyond the season 
in which our gardens and greenhouses usully display their finest 
bloom, The course adopted by the soipty me; the hearty con- 
currence of the members of your committee, although they be- 
lieved that the department assigned to their particular charge would 
be shorn of much of its interest at the exibition, and they were 
not deceived' in this belief. Your committee has the pleasure 
neverthei - , to present to the society that the number, variety 
and beauty, of the shrubs, plants and flowers was very great, and 
that many choice collections besides those which contributed to 
the exihibition are within the society's limits, and at its disposal on 
occasions which it may hereafter take to display the evidence of 
the taste and industry of the citzens of the District. 

To describe all the plants sent to the society, is a task which 
your committee does not propose to itself, the mere enumeration 
of the specimens would occupy more space than can be giren to 
them; it purposes noticing only some of the most rare, useful and 
curious. A list of the contributors whose names are in the com" 
mittee's possession, will also be given, it will comprise perhaps 
all except those who during the exhibition sent to it flowers as tes- 
timonials of approbations, unaccompanied by any name. 

The collection of lemon, orange and other plants and trees Of 
the citrous family was large and some of the specimens were very 
choice. The fine lemon tree which formed the apex of the prin- 



35 

cipai pyramid, and which was raised from a cutting by Mrs H. M. 
Mackall of Georgetown, was of extraordinary size. Another, 
from Mr Yates of Alexandria, of less size, was remarkable alike 
for its fine form and exuberance of ripe fruit. A St. Helena lime, 
from Mr Pierce was well worthy of notice, as was also a small 
sweet orange tree covered with fruit, sent by Mr A. Suter. Ano- 
ther beautiful tr.^e of the sweet orange with large ripe fYuii was 
distinguished by its graceful appearance, it was from the collection 
of Mr. Pierce. 

The collec tion of Pelargoniums (geraniums) was very extensive, 
it comprized nearly all the old and many of the new vara ties, 
and was remarkable for size of flowers and brilliancy of colour — 
very fine plants of the Commander in Chief, De Verre, Davian- 
um, Murrayanum, rubrum, Navarino, &c. &c. were partieulary 
noticed. 

Among the more rare exotics were fine and very large speci- 
mens of Strelitzia regina, Cycas revoluta, Laurus Camphor^ 
Ficus elastica, Thea viridis, T. bohea, Nandina domestioa, Aloe 
arborea, A. Saponaria, A. variegata, &c. Cactus phvllanthus, C, 
speciosus, C. triangularis, C. septangulan«, C. mammiliaris, etc. 
Calceolaria salvifolia, numerous large specimens of Agave ameri- 
cana of both varities, and of Yucca gloriosa and Metrosidoros 
lanceolatus. There were also plants of the Pine apple, Illicium 
floridanum or Anniseed plant. The singularly curious appear- 
ance of the flower and spotted stem of the plants of Arum dracun- 
culus excited much attention, as did also the exceeding purity of 
some very perfect specimens of Monotropa uniflora and of fine 
double flowering white anemone from our neighbouring woods. 

A fine specimen of Aster argophyllum or Muskplant in bloom- 
was probably the first that ever flowered in the District. Your 
committee may add that there were from various private collec- 
tions numerous splendid specimens of Cactus speciosus in full 
flower. 

From Mrs. Col. Bomford's choice collection of exotics there 
were some fine plants and a very large and splendid variety of 
garden and greenhouse flowers beautifully arranged in rich 
vases. 

From the collection of Mrs. Richard Smith, very large nnd lux- 



*6 

urient specimens of all the varieties of Nerium Oleander and 
some fine Geraniums. 

From the collection of Mrs. Col. Kearney the Society received 
Rhododendron arboraum, R. ponticum Olea fragrans, a very 
large Camelia japonica, Gardenia florida, V. major, some cactuses, 
Mesembrianthemums, fine China roses and other green-house 
plants. 

From the collection of Mrs. W. S. Nicholls, some fine lemon 
trees, and a variety of garden flowers. 

From the collection of Miss H. M. Mackall, the largest lemon 
tree in the Hall, besides many fine blooming green-house plants 
and several vases of very splendid exotic flowers arranged with 
great taste. 

From the collection of Mrs. De Kraft, a very fine Cactus spe- 
ciosus and some fine plants of the stockgilly flower in bloom. 

From the collection of Miss F. Clarke, some fine Myrtles, 
Cactus Mammillaris, Puniea, Aloes and other exotics. 

From Mrs. Johns, of Georgetown, some fine jellow tea roses 
in bloom. 

From Miss Welsh, a fine Carnation profusely in bloom, and a 
large Cactus flagclliformis. 

From Miss Fletcher, a lemon tree. 

From Mrs. A. Boon, a fine and large lemon tree. 

From Miss C Shoemaker, a Calla Ethiopica, the finest in the 
hall, a Citron tree and other plants. 

From Mrs. Rockendorff, fine Carnations, Myrtles and other 
plants. 

From Mrs. Owner, a fine Arum Dracunculus. 
China roses and Myrtles. 

From Mrs. Vivan, an Amaryllis vittata, Rhododendron and 
other exotics. 

From Mrs. Seraphi* a Massi, a fine St. Helena lime, a Myrtle 
leaved orange, and a very fine sweet orange tree. 

From Mrs. Col. Watson, several fine green-house plants, and 
a variety of garden flowers, and singing birds. 

From the extensive collection of Doct. A. Mc. Williams there 
were large and fine specimens of Strelitzia regina, a very vigor 



37 

ous Cactus Triangularis eight or nine feet high besides Pomegra. 
nates and various other fine green-house plants. He presented 
an uncommonly pure and beautiful specimen of Monotropa uniflora 
which attracted much attention. 

From the collection of Dr. J. S. Gunnel, there were many 
specimens which did ample justice to that gentleman's method of 
cultivating the Camelia japonica — among them were numerous 
hue seedlings and several plants of the Camelia loaded with seed 
pods from which your Committee hope to see at the future ex- 
hibitions of the Society, new varieties of that splenbid ornament 
of the green-house and parlour. There were also from this 
collection a rich variety of China roses, Carnations, a hoc double 
white Oleander and some beautiful boquets of garden ilowers. 

From the choice collection of the Society's botanical lecturer, 
William Rich Esqr. there there were fine specimens of Thea 
viridis, T. bohea, Ficus elastica, Nandina domestica, and some 
beautiful plants of Amaryllis Johnsoni and Cactus speciosus in 
bloom, besides Corea alba and other fine exotics. 

From the collection of Alexander Suter Esqr. a superior sweet 
orrange tree, a very large Cactus triangularis in fine health and 
vigour, Cactus speciosus nnd many other exotic plants in a state of 
perfect and vigorous health, that reflected great credit on the col- 
lection. 

From the long esttJblished and extensive green-house of Mr- 
Wdliam Yates of Alexandria there were very large plants of 
Crassula orbicularis, Cactus mamJlaris, various specips of aloes. 
Cycas revoluta. Yuca glorioso Hoya carnosa. Various species 
of Myrtles. An unusHally fine specimen of great size of the 
double flowering pomegranate, several very fine Orange and 
Lemon trees in flower and in fruit. A great variety of large and 
beautiful Geraniums, Jasammes and other exotics which your 
cmomittee have not space to enumerate. 

From the extensive greenhouse of Mr. Joshua Pierce f Lin- 
ean Hill] a very large specimen ©f Cycas revoluta or sago palm. 
Some remarkable fine lemon and oraage trees, geraniums and 
carnations, a beautiful Cactus specious — the finest in the hall, and 
various other species of the cactus famdj. Bromelia ananaus, a 
fine Yacca gloriosa the tallest in the collection, numerous spec- 



38 

miens of large Calla iEthiopica, Cactus Opuntia, Daphne, Da' 
tura arborea in bloom, Erica, Fuscbias, Gurdeaias, Heliotrope, 
Hibiscus, Hoya Carnosa, Jasimins, Lagerstremias, Melianlhus, 
Mimosa, Myrtles,01eander, Pomegranate, Agjves, Aloes Amaryllis. 

The Society wis also indebted to Mr Pierce for much of the 
rich and varied collection of garden and green house flowers which 
covered the two smallest of the pyramids 

From the green house of Mr John Douglass there were fine 
plants of Calceolaria ^alvifolia, Laurus camphora, Brunia capiiuta, 
Metro^ideros marginatus, Hoya carnosa, Calycanthus precox,. 
Hibertia volubilis, Bouvardia triphylla, Melaleuca virgata, Plum, 
bago cerulea, Myrcine africana, Eupatorium superbum E. od- 
oratum, Lantana decora, Aucuba japonica, Pitosporum tobira, 
many fine varieties of geranuim, amaryllis, magnolia and other 
exotics. 

Your committee bear testimony to the industry, skill, and suc- 
cess of this enterprising cultivator. 

From the collection of lit. Dick Esq. a very fine lemon tree 
profusely in bloom and many other green-huuse plants 

From Brook Williams Esq. fine carnations, From J. Brewer 
Esq fine carnations and china roses. From Adam Lindslay Esq. 
a fine Arum dracunculus and a variety of garden flowers. 

Mr John Slater of Alexandria presented a fine collection of 
green-house plants — amongst them were some large and beautiful 
geranuims and a carnation the best plant of the kind in the hall. 

The society was favoured by Mr. Bastian of Baltimore, with 
Some fine specimens of the bloom of Hoya Carnosa, Plumbago 
rosea, Passiflora &c. and of Rocket and other garden flowers, and 
a box of fruit, for which your committee recommend that he re- 
ceive the thanks of the society 

Your committee regret to believe that it is not in its power t© 
name all who contributed their share of that splendid profusion 
of garden and green-bouse flowers in the bowls and vases and on 
the pyramids with which the upper end of the hall of exhibition 
was so richly decorated. Some of the contributors hare been 
already mentioned. We can add to the list the names of 

Mrs, Col. Seaton, Mrs. Col. Towson, Mrs. Doct. Gunnel. 



39 

Mrs. Lenthall, Mrs. Suter, Miss C. B. Smith, Miss Watterston, 
Mis.- S Wood, Miss Jones and the Misses Barnard's among the 
ladies 

Among the gentlemen the Rev. Doct. Lawrie, Doct Mun ling, 
and especially Mr. T. Bates who sent a prolusion of very line 
Moss roses; and Mr. Camp who sent -ome line flowers, and for 
the purpose of ornament and variety several globes of gold fishes- 
Your committee assumes to it self a duty which is perhaps con- 
fided to another committee of the society — the committe of ar- 
rangement The task however is two grateful to be yielded on a 
point of etequette, and your commitee therefore takes the liberty 
of cailling the attention of the society to the thanks which it owes 
to the ladies who honored the society with their aid and advice 
previous to and during the exhibtion and to whose splendid con- 
tributions and cultivated taste the exhibition was so peculiarly 
indebted for its si.ccess. Your committee have the honor espe- 
cially to name Mrs. Col. Towson. Mrs. Doct. Gunnel, Mrs. Col. 
Bomford, Mrs. Col Seaton, Miss H M. Makall Miss C. B. Smith 
and Miss Helen Smith. In doing so they would not however be 
understood to derogate in the slightest degree from the merit ©f 
others who have contributed to the success of the exhibition, and 
to whom the society is likewise under unquestionable obligations 
of the great value of which the society cannot fail to be fully 
sensible. 

The committee recommend that the thanks of the society be 
given to all the ladies of the district whose names grace the list of 
contributors to the exhibiton of the 5th and 6th of June. 
That to Mrs. Col. Bomford, Mrs. Col. Seaton and Miss Harriet 
M. Mackall, there be presented for the finest 
vases of choice garden and green-house flowers 
beautifully arranged — each a vase of American 
porcelain manufactured for the occasion, with 
appropriate inscriptions; each vase of the value 
of at least $5. $ 15 00 

To Mrs. Lenthall for the best collection of double dais- 
ies and for their most successful cultivation; a 
premium of the value of 3 00 

To Miss H. M. Mackall for the largest lemom tree in 



40 

fine order; a premium of the value of $5 00 

To Doct. A. McWi'ihams for large and rare exotics in 

fin° order; a premium of the value of 5 00 

To Mr. Joshua Pierce for the most extensive collection 

of exotic plants, a premium valued at JO 00 

To Mr. William Yates, of Alexandria, ibr the oldest and 
second most extensive collection of exotic plants 
a premium valued at 10 00 

To Mr. John Douglass, for the third most extensive col- 
lection of exotics and for his successful enter- 
prise in enlarging his collection with rare plants 
a premium of the value of 10 00 

To Alexander Suter, Esq ,for a large collection of exotic 
plants in the finest order, a premium of the va- 
lue of 7 00 

To Dr. J S. Gunnell, for the finest collection of Camelias, 
China roses and Carnations, and for the greatest 
success in cultivation and propagating them. A 
premium of the value of 10 00 

To Mr. Camp, for the best collection of native flowers, 

a premium valued at 3 00 

The Committee recommend to Mr. Slater, of Alexandria, 
in consideration of his zeal for the success of the 
exhibition and the taste and untiring industry 
which he shewed in arranging the plants and 
flowers, a premium of the value of 10 00 

That the thanks of the society be awarded to Joseph Brewer 

Esq. for his successful cultivation of Carnations and Primula. 
That the thanks of the society be awarded to Mr. Jeremiah 

Perkins for his services and attention at the exhibition and that he 

have free admission to the future exhibitions of the society. 
On behalf of the Committee 

JAMES KEARNEY. June 13. 1834 



REPORT 

OF THE COMMITTEE ON 

FRUITS. 

June 14th, 1834. 
THE COMMITTEE OJY FRUITS: 

Whose duty it is to report, generally on specimens offered to 
the society — at any of their meetings and particularly on those 
which have been produced at their recent first Annual Exhibi- 
tion — have great pleasure in noticing that these were as numer- 
ous as could be expected from the period and character of the 
Season —and that these consisted as well of those raised in the 
open ground, as of those which require the aid of glass and arti- 
ficial heat. The former are now appropriate to the real require- 
ments of man, as articles of food, while the latter a Id to his stock 
of comforts, increase his luxuries — and make the agreeable com- 
panion of the useful. 

The committee respectfully recommend that those presenting 
Fruits would accompany them with their distinctive cognomens — 
that others desirous to obtain similar kinds may know where to 
procure them, and be saved the trouble of sending to a distance to 
procure those which for want of the specific name they may not 
be aware may be within their immediate reach— without the ability 
to designate particular kinds, we search in darkness; and ignorant 
of the several varieties, we really make vain pretensions to be 
useful members of societies designed to increase our kno,. 
and stimulate to scientific pursuits of the obj 
'mprovement. 



42 

The committee propose to recommend the following as entitled 
to premiums. The premiums in all cases to be accompanied with 
a certificate in handsome form: 

Mrs. Seaton for the best specimens of Cherries a premium of the 
value of $5 00 

A. Mc Williams for the best specimens of Lemons, regarding 
both quantity and quality a premium of the value of 10 00 

Mr. Joshua Peirce for Lemons, Oranges, Citrons, 4" St. Helena 
Limes, taking into consideration numbers and the extraordinary 
size of some few of ihem a premium of the value of 5 00 

Mrs Col. Tovvson for the handsome and best specimens of Straw - 
berries-- -the wilmot and soft shelled Almonds a premium of 
the value of 5 00 

Mr. John Adams— -for Hautbois Strawberries and for the best 
gooseberries, a premium of the vulue of 3 00 

Mr. A. Lindsay for a variety of fruit a premium of the value of 

2 00 
The committee would add one observation respecting goose- 
berries. They are subject in this latitude, on this generally dry 
infertile soil of the District, to a disease which covers each berry 
with a coat of rusty appearance as it approaches maturity, deforms 
its beauty and injuries very mnterialy its quality and flavor— Of 
these specimens exhibited — only one or two showed simptoms of 
of this disease---Jiey were however all green and had not com- 
menced to ripen, and it was not possible to say whether they 
would, as they progressed, be liable to it or not— much skill and 
observation are required on the part of the cultivator to raise 
this excellent fruit, to perfect and handsome maturity. 

Respectfully Submitted, 

ROBERT BARNARD. 



The Committee on Esculent Vegetable* makes with much satisfac- 
tion the following report to the Council of the society on the 
articles coming under the cognizance of that committee, which 
were produced at the First Annual Exhibition on the 5th 
and 6 ih-of June, 1334, ;mrl respectfully submits to the Coun- 
cil the propriety of awarding premiums to the following per- 
sons, viz; 



13 

Mr. Joseph Foreman, gardener, for Anthony Holmead, 
Esq. for fine Early York Cabbages, very fine 
Beets and best Carrots, a premium of the 
value of $4 00 

Mr. John Douglass, for very fine Cabbage, Beets, Car- 
rots and best Radishes, a premium valued at 3 00 

Mr. Wm. Cammack, for a remarkably fine specimen of 

large York Cabbage, a premium valued at 3 00 

Mr. Wheat, for the best large York Cabbage and beat 

Lettice, a premium valued at 5 00 

Mr. Crimmin, gardener for Brook Mackall, Esq. for the 
best Cucumbers and beat Cauliflowers, a prem- 
ium valued at 5 00 

Mr Thomas Grimes, for the best Silver Skin Onions 

and best turnips, a premium valued at 5 00 

Mr. Jenkins for remarkably fine Silver Skin Onions, a 

premium valued at 3 00 

Mr. Wm. Yates, for very fine Beets and beet Potatoes, a 

premium valued at 3 00 

Col. Henry Naylor, for very fine Beets, string Beans 

and best Peas, a premium valued at 3 00 

Mr. Nath'l. Frye, for a new variety of early Potatoes, 

a premium valued at 3 00 

Mr. Andrew Laub,for very fine early Potatoes and best 

string Beans, a premium valued at 3 CO 

Dr. Richard Alexander, for very fine string Beans and 

green Simblins, a premium valued at 3 0> 

Isaac Mason, Gardener, for Jno A. Smith, for a remark- 
ably fine specimen of Batteresea Cabbage, a pre- 
mium valued at 3 00 

Mr. Meahan, Gardener for Col. Hickey, for a beautiful 
specimen of the Potatoe Onion, a premium valued 
at 3 00 

Mr. Isaac Peirce, for very fine specimen of Lettice, a 

premium valued at 3 00 

Mr. Camp, for a beautiful specimen of Mercer Potatoe, 

p remium valued at 3 00 



Proceedings of the Columbian Horticultural Society 
at a meeting held at the City Hall on the 5th 
July, 1834. 



The following officers were elected for the 
ensuing year. 

PRESIDENT. 

NATHAN TOWSON, Washington, 

VICE PRESIDENTS, 

VIRGIL MAXCY, Washington City, 
• JOSEPH GALES, Jr. " County, 
WAL'I ER SMITH, Georgetown, 
HENRY DANGERF1ELD, Alexandria, 
RICHARD B. MASON, Alexandria County. 

TREASURER. 

WILLIAM HEWITT, Washington. 

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. 

GEORGE WATTERSTON, Washington. 

RECORDING SECRETARY. 

WILLIAM HICKEY, Washington County. 

COUNCILLORS, 

JOHN ADAMS, Washington, 
ROB. BARiWRD, " County. 
W. CAM MACK, « »« 

JOHN BOYLE, Washington, 



45 

H. F. CAMP, Washington, County, 

R. S. COXE, « 

B. FOWLER, " « 

Nat. FRYE, « « 

J AS. S. GUNNELL, 

THOS. P. JONES, 

JAS. KEARNEY, 

A. LINDSAY, << " 

O. M. LIN'I'HICUM, Georgetown. 

A. Mac WILLIAMS, Washington. 

JOSHUA PEIRCE, " County 

WM. RICH, 

W. W. SEA TON 

J. A. SMITH, 

ALEX. SUTER, 

JOSHUA RILEY, Georgetown. 

LECTURER on BOTANY and VEGETABLE 
PHYSIOLOGY- 
WILLIAM RICH. 

LECTURER on HORTICULTURAL 
CHEMISTRY, 

THOS. P. JONES, M. D. 



STANDING COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY 

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL, 

I 

ON FLOWERS & ORNAMENTAL TREES & SHRUBS. 

JAMES KEARNEY, Chairman. 
A. McWILLIAMS, 
J. S. GUNNELL, 
J. BOYLE, 
WM. RICH. 



46 
II 

ON FRUITS. 

ROB. BARNARD, Chairman. 
A. LINDSAY, 
J. PEIRCE. 
W. W. SEATON, 
W. CAMMACK. 
Ill 

ON ESCULENT VEGETABLES. 

JOHN A. SMITH, Chairman. 
H. F. CAMP, 
N. FRYE, 
J. ADAMS, 
$fe S. COKE. 



MEMBERS 

OF THE 

COLUMBIAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETST. 



JOHN ADAMS, 
JOHN ADLUM, 
ARMSTEAD ALEXANDER, 
RICHARD ALEXANDER, 
CHARLES A ALEXANDER, 
CHRISTOPHER ANDREWS, 
ROBERT BARNARD. 
THOMAS BLAGDEN, 
JOHN BOYLE, 
WILLIAM A. BRADLEY, 
WILLIAM L. BRENT, 
WILLIAM BRENT, 
GEORGE BU vl FORD, 
WILLIAM CAMMACK, 
H. F. CAMP, 

MATIIEW St. C. CLARKE, 
JOHN L CLUBS, 
DARIUS CLAGETT, 
GRIFFITH COOMBE, 
CLEMENT T. COOTE, 
HENRY DANGERFIELD, 
ROBERT DTCK, 
GEORGI' DYSON. 
WILLIAM I LLIOT, Sea. 
B. FOWLER, 
NATHANIEL FRYE, 
PETER FORCE, 
JOSEPH GALES. Sen. 
JOSEPH GALES. Jr. 
CHARLES H GARDENER, 
CHARLES GRATIOT, 
DAVID A. HALL, 
JAMES C. HALL 
WILLIAM DAYMAN 
WILLIAM HEWITT, 
WILLIAM HICKEY, 
ANTHONY MOLMEAD, 
ALEXANDER HUNTER, 
JOHN P. INGLE, 
WILLIAM INGLE, 



THOMAS P. JONES, 
ROGER JO\'ES, 
WALTER JONES, 
THO MAS S. JESSUP, 
JAMES KEARNEY. 
CHARLES. B. KI *G, 
Z. COLLINS LEE, 
O! H > M. LINTHICUM, 
THOMAS LYNDALL 
JOHN LYTLE. 
BROOK MACKALL, 
ALEXANDER MACOMB, 
CHARLES MeCORMICK, 
ALEXANDER McWILLIAMS, 
VINCENT MA SI, 
VIRGIL MAXCY. 
RICHARD B. MASON, 
Rev. WILLIAM MATHEWS, 
P. MAURO, 
GEORGE W. MAY, 
WILLIAM MECHLIN, 
HENRY NAYLOR, 
GEORGE NAYLOR, 
JOSHUA PE1RCE 
HANSON PENN, 
JOSHUA RE1LY, 
WILLIAM RICH, 
WILLIAM W. SEATON, 
WILLIAM SPETDEN, 
JOHN A. SVUTII, 
AVaLTER SMITH, 
THOMAS L. SMITH, 
ALEXANDER 3UTER, 
NATHAN TO ANSON, 
MOSES TABBS. 
RICHARD WALLACK, 
GEORGE WATTERSTON, 
CHARLES H. WILTBERGER. 
II. C WEIGHT- IAN, 
WILLIAM YEATES, 



48 

HONORARY MEMBERS. 

JAMES MADISON, Virginia. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, Massachusetts. 

ANDREW JACKSON, Tennessee. 

MARTIN VANBUREN, New York. 

GENERAL LAFAYETTE, France. 

JOHN MARSHALL, Chief Just. S. C. U. S. Virginia 

DANIEL WEB-TER, Massachusetts. 

EDWARD EVERETT, do 

HENRY CLAY, Kentucky, 

JOHN C. CALHOUN, South Carolina. 

THEODORE FRELINGHUYSEN, New Jersey, 

JOSEPH KENT, Maryland, 

CHARLES F. MERCER, Virginia, 

EZEKIEL CHAMBERS "] 

JOHN TYLER, | Committee on the 

SAM'L L. SOUTHARD, 

GEO. M. BIBB, 

GIDEON TOMLINSON. 

ABRAHAM BOCKEE, 

Wm. P. TAYLOR, 

SAM G. HATHAWAY ( Committee on A°ricul- 

CHARLES A. BARNITZ, } ture of the House of 

BENNING M BEAN, | Reresentutives. 

Wm. C. DUNLAP, 

Win. K. COWNEY. 

LOUIS McLANE, late Sec. State, 

JOHN FORSYTH, Sec State. 

R. B. TANEY, late Sec. Treasury, 

LEVI WOODBURY, Sec. Trea'y, ad late Sec. N 

LEWIS CASS, Sec. of War, 

MVHLON DICKERSON, Sec of the Navy 

Wm. T. BARRY, Post Mast. Gen 

E. LIVINGSTON, Minist. Pleii. U. S. at Paris 

II S. LEG ARE, Charge at Brussels, 

Thos. A. KNIGHT, Pr e s. London Hor. Society.. 

T. ANDREW, MICHAUX, Paris. 



District of Columbia. 
Senate of the U. S. 



49 

STEPHEN VAN RANSELLAER, N. York. 
H. A. S. DEARBORN, Pres. Mas. Hor. Society, 
JESSEE BUEL, Pres. Albany Hor. Society. 
JOHN CREIG, Pres. Domestic Hor. Society of 

Western part of N. York. 
JAS. R. 1NGERSOLL, Pres. Penn. Hor. Society. 
Dr. HOSSACK, Pres. N. York Hor. Society, 
D. W. DARLINGTON, Pennsylvania, 
AMIE BOMPLAND, France, 



CORRESPONDING MEMBERS. 

DAVID PORTER, Charge Constantinople, 
THOMAS ASPINWALL, Consul, London, 
ALEXANDER THOMPSON do Glasgow, 
THOMAS WILSON, do Dublin, 

H. SPRAGUE, do Gibralter, 

W. TUDOR TUCKER, do Bermuda, 

R. M. HARRISON, do Kington Jamaica 

J. C BARNETT, do Paris. 

R. G. BEASLEY, do Havre de Grace 

J. G. BAKER, Con. Gen. Switzerland. 
A. P. GIBSON, Consul St. Petersburg. 
A. BURTON, " Cadiz. 

THOS. L L. BRENT, Charge Lisbon. 
AUGUSTE DAVEZAC, " Netherlands 

C. BURNETT. Consul Venice 
L. LIST, " Baden. 

C. HUGHES, Charge Stockholm. 
J. RAYNALS, Consul Copenhagen. 
W. T. SIMMONS, <' Elborvirt, Prussia. 
S. CUTHBERT, « Hamberg. 
THOS. APPLETON, Consul Leghorn. 
JAMES AMBROSE, « Florence. 

7 



50 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



002 762 733 fi 



F. CICOGNINI 

A. HAMMET, 

B. GARDNER, 
OFFLEY, 
F. BROWN, 



Com. 



Rome. 
Naples. 
Palermo. 
Smyrna. 
Agent Algiers. 



D. HEAP, Consul Tunis. 

BUTLER, Charge Mexico. 
JAMES DAVIS, Consul Sante Fe. 
J. W. LANG DON, " Laguria. 
J. M. MACPHERSON, « Carihagena. 
JOHN MARTIN BAKER « Rio de Janeria. 
J. H. GRO TENOR, " Canton. 
A. WORTHINGTON, « LIMA. 
J. B. ADAMS, « Alicant. 
M. P. TRIST, « Havana. 
J. JAMES, " Vera Cruz. 
G. G. BARRILE, « Malaga. 
WILLIAM PRINCE, New- York. 
JOHN C. LOUDON, London. 
D. LANDRETH. Philadelphia. 
C. LANDRETH, « 
M. CARR, 
J. B. SMrTH, 
R. BUIST, 

THOS HOGG, New-York. 
HENRY F. DICKEHUT, Baltimore. 

FROBEL, Fairfax County Virginia. 

THOMAS P. RAY, of Morgantown Virginia. 
WILLIAM CHAMBERS, Louisville, 



